Attention cheerleaders and other flexible girls!

Niya wants to be more flexible, learn to do a split and other cheerleading moves. In other words, she wants to be stretchy-bendy. Can you offer some advice?

Dear PLS,I would like to be more flexible. This year in seventh grade I didn't make the cheerleading squad. And I do not know how to do a split,or a scorpion,or any flips. And I think because of my weight can u help me plzz???Niya, 12Becoming bending doesn't happen in a day. But you can get more flexible by practicing stretches and yoga. Try these yoga poses.Welcome Home YogaStudy Break YogaWhat else, flexible Pink Locker girls? If you can do a split, tell us how you learned to do it!Think pink!Jemma

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Rosebud said...

I think you have to stretch out your leg muscles a little bit each day, not too much at once. It's like playing a musical instrument. You can't reach that high note on the first day. Or, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

I never was a BLE to do a split but always wished I'd be able to so your definitely not alone!! Maybe go to gymnastic lessons to improve your skills??Also eating healthy is always the best advise a girl can give!! Stay strong and don't give up!!

keep trying to do all three splits every day! It might take some time, but you will improve and eventually be able to do it. keep exercising and eat lots of veggies and drink lots of water. Then you will be healthier. :)

@making itWhat,when,where,how...whatever you lied abt apologize and admit to her that you lied unless you HAD to under important circumstances, others tell her the truth-trust me, friends rather you admit your lie instead of keeping it a secret!! Good luck:)

Hi peeps!Okay, here's my question:I'm moving and cannot get over that. I'm gonna move in the middle of the year, and leave all my friends. I have a really close relationship with them and I'm afraid that without them I might lose myself. Any advice?Also, I'm looking for a good screen name. (mine currently is GB Shakespeare.) GB Shakespeare is my pen name, GB is my initials and Shakespeare, is well, Shakespeare. I LOVE reading, writing and soccer. Any ideas?Thank you so much!PS If you answer my question and you have a question, I'll answer yours!

GB shake spearYou sound like a really cool person! but anyway so it is very sad that you are moving and I would say that you could maybe make sure you have their phone number email instagram facebook or anything like that so you guys can keep in touch. And even though you are heartbroken maybe you could talk to friends about it. They may be sad but then they will know and can support you. Good luck. coolgabs1216PS: are you new to PLS I actually cant believe it but Ive had my account since summer and Id recommend you stay on if you are new because it helps on a rainy day where you feel like crawling into a hole and disappearing.

GBShakespeareI moved to a country across the world in the middle of seventh grade(last year) and I has to leave my BFF (she was my BFF for around 7 years!!!!!) and my Skool and my entire class and relatives and EVEEYTHING!! I lived in New York City and moving from THERE to across the world is a BIG thing!! I was so depressed and sad and complained every DAY to my parents. We are now in this new coumtry for a year and I still haven't ajdusted completely with the new language, customs,mentality,food, educational system,shopping style, new class, school, house,area and EVERYTHING!! It's very difficult to move but don't worry you're NOT alone!! Many ppl move and get through it just fine. I wish you PLENTY of luck and I hope u adjust quick!! You'll make new friends and still keep in touch with your old friends and I'm sure you'll be fine. Wish you luck!!!!:)

Okay I was in your same situation a little bit shoo would say every day do some warm ups and yoga poses. Also increase the amount of time you do these every day! This will help a lot also try stretching in the morning and night and before and after sports. This will help also

You should practice every day like in front of a big mirror because i think its better and try to push yourself a bit to the ground but if it hurts too much then stop! Also if you get to do it you should still do it every day or you cant do it anymore

Ironically, enough, I just got home from cheer practice, haha! First off- it has nothing to do with your weight, I have a friend who is... Let's just say heavy ;) and she can do the splits, and tumble better than I can! Try to go as far into a split as you can until it starts to hurt (no pain, no gain) but don't overdo it. Once you have splits on the ground, do wall splits. Find a doorway in your home, and slide your leg up, then push into the doorway as much as you can. I got my needle but doing this ;). As for tumbling, I can't do much. A ROBH is the most I can do, but just practice practice practice! P.S. Try out again next year! The coaches will see that you're dedicated :)Hope I helped!

becoming a cheerleader has nothing to do with weight or flexibility, at least at my school. i'm on the cheer team, and I have some friends on the team that are a bit overweight, and can't do good splits, bridges, or tumbling, but they made it on the cheer team because they were good at memorizing the cheer and the dance we learned at tryouts. of course, I can't speak for you school, but that's how it is at my school

also, another way to get your splits. stand on your knees. put one of your legs strait in front of you. lean forward. after about 20 seconds, shift your weight so your front leg is bent and your back leg is straight. keep on leaning forward this should stretch the parts of your legs that do the splits, without hurting as much.

Listen if you didn't get on the cheerleading team your right getting more flexible is key. So try yoga or stretches to help you learn the splits. "try, try, try again, you really never fail until you quit."

i have the worst problem i try to talk to my boyfriend but he walks away and there is this new kid and he huged me today i think i like the new kid better but when i try to break up with me boyfriend he says hes busy and he walks away he once siad hes to busy clogging a slide when i tried to talk to him at resess HELP!!!!! I FEEL LIKE CRYING!!!!!

hi is me again my friend said that the new kid told her that he was going to ask me out by getting on his knee and holding me hand and then asking me out i dont want to go out with him though what should i do!!!!! im so lost and i still haven't broken up with my boyfriend yet

I'm on the dance squad and I'm also in 7th grade and b4 I joined I was nowhere near the splits. But I just got it about a month ago and it's really rewarding when u do have it down. I've been stretching for about 3 months and this is for the most inflexible people and busy people. I did stretch at least 15 min a day in the summer, and then school started and I had like zero free time so I just relied on dance practice to stretch. If u want to get your splits quickly, u really should stretch everyday. 5-10 min or even 30 is great. And your weight does not matter at all. Everyone can do the splits if they try. B4 stretching always warm up your muscles like jumping jacks or jogging in place. Here's some stretches and you can always google stretches for splits or YouTube it!Pike-put you feet together and try to touch your toes, point and flex feet, sitting or standingStraddle-spread your legs as far apart as u can and reach to both sides and the middle, point and flex, sit or standRunners lungeButterfly stretch4 stretch- straighten one leg and bend the other and reach for your toeThe splits!-the best stretch for the splits is of course the splits. Try to relax and breathe. Don't push down to far though. Try to hold it for at least 10 seconds.There's a bunch of other stretches but it's kind of hard to put in words.At the beginning of when u start stretching, it feels like u are progressing slowly but once u give it time I'm sure you'll get your splits in no time! :)Good luck!~Bluetiful Blossom

Hey girls! I know I haven't been commenting a lot but I have a confusing boy problem. So I have a crush on this guy and I sent him an anonymous lollipop (school thing) 1 guy knows about this and my crush has been practically begging him to tell him who sent the lollipop. To shorten this story up, in the end he guessed it was me and then he asked me if I did send him the lollipop and I said yes. He said hmmm for a while and then he went to talk to that one guy who knows I have a crush on that guy and later I asked what did he say and he said that my crush said that he doesn't like me. I just wanted to take my lollipop back. I was sad. Heartbroken. I really thought he liked me too. My friend said he was flirting with me. I mean we talked a bunch, he teased me, made me laugh, sat near me. Well, not anymore.So the question is what am I supposed to do now. I never should've gave him that lollipop. Everything's all awkward with me and him now. Not only I ruined my chance of him liking me but I also ruined our friendship. What should I say? I don't like u anymore? To late to deny it was me. All this happened because of a lollipop. Help?

With girls, everything has to be fixed now, let me give it all a go!!@Bluetiful Blossom, Wow you need to give him a little time, a little space and then talk to him, it will be awkward it will seem weird but just ask him something simple like..... "Hey, I don't want anything from you but, why have you been avoiding me, what had changed, is this because of a lollipop".. Hopefully he can give a good explanation for this. If he does'n't want to speak to you talk to his friends if they don't want to speak to you get your friends to, they should listen to your friends!! Thx

@Leaper He likes and you still have a boyfriend, looks like a sticky situation! Tell him sweetly, "Sorry... I cant date you, I have a boyfriend I am committing to. If he is really angry or sad looking tell him this. Look you hugged me before now my boyfriend is not happy with me, now you are asking me out and I still have a boyfriend, pls back off, or you could make t sound a little nicer! With you boyfriend keep persisting until he gives up, and try to explain, if u want to break up with him at least try to!

GB ShakespeareHello, all you can do is KIT you cant force your parents to do anything, usually you find you make almost better friend than your previous. You cant say that I don't understand because I have moved towns 4 times and been to 4 different schools, it is painful!!! Just hang in and maybe introduce her to this site then you can talk to her almost whenever!!Just breathe it will be OK!

Ummm.... Hi Guyz do you remember me, the one who made up #TALKaboutyourbffsweekI didn't think so................................I have a question and I am really bustingJust so you don’t get confused J= 1/2 crush, K= BFF, L=Annoying person, B=girl who reckons J has a soft spot for me, I=meSo yesterday I was at bible study and we were learning about Jacob, a guy who was really crafty and anyway. He worked 7yrs to marry this girl, but he ended being tricked into marrying a different girl and he had to work another 7yrs for this girls Dad. This will reveal all soon. So then the leader said, let this be a lesson to you boys, if a girl is really worth it, work for her... Then my friend let’s call her K said to a guy called J, yeah J I am waiting... We all laughed but I almost died you see, I am one of J's best friends and I was supposably the one he liked. But we remained friends, only friends. I had sort of liked him, but as the story we were told was slightly romantic, I dunno I got angry.... So then we had a break before "Saturate" which I won’t tell you about. So there is L, L had been annoying me for the past week but J wasn't here to see it. So when I shouted “L stop it”, J came in and said what is he doing, I said L is annoying me with this embarrassing thing that I did last week. Then I said to L, don’t tell him what I did… L replies whoa you’re eyes are penetrating, and I said “I get them from my Mum!” So then B says to L, in front of J and I. J has a soft spot for I, I reckon. Then I say I think not! See it was awkward and all I could do is look at him just like B is crazy. Then a little while later K comes back and says, he looks tired, well it is hard work liking a girl like me. I know she was joking but J is for me, but he is but he isn’t.Firstly why I am I so mad, and secondly in this situation what does “soft spot” mean?

the way I stay flexiable is I don't always try yoga, Itry to work at it i'm great at gymnastics.I enjoy doing my own stretch routine.I'ts like this it will be a 3 month exercise (but healthy).It is (15-20) min. of workout a day.You do the superman for (10-20 )seconds at least then do the butterfly stretch next do the squat and straddle.Run in place next jump from side to side and see results.

As a gymnast, I am quite flexible. I always stretch in the morning and at night. However, when I was first learning my splits, I followed stretching routines I found on YouTube. Really! Now I can do my right, left, and middle splits. I suggest watching the stretches for dancers. Keep stretching and do not get discouraged if you do not get your splits right away. It could take a couple months. Good Luck!

@Bluetiful Blossom: Hi! I'm sorry, I kinda know what you've been going through. If you still want to be friends with him, perhaps text him and just be like. "Yeah, hope you enjoyed the lollipop. I like you, but lets just be friends?" And then, invite a group of mutual friends to do something, so its people he's comfortable with. It will help diminish the awkward and stuff. I broke up with my bf last year, but we still hang out in groups and stuff. It's still awkward, but its less so and we're still friends because we hang out in groups and stuff :) Hope this helps!

To pink hugs and playing fun: I remember you and know its a little late answering your question all but....To answer the first one: idk you feel what you feelThe second one: A soft spot is kinda like favoring someone in argument.Or being nicer to someone for some reason. Hoped i helped:)

PinkhugzandPlayinginfun:#1 I remember talk about your BFF week! that was fun.#2 You were awesome at answering all those questions! boy stuff is my weak spot :)#3 you're probably so mad because you don't think it's true, and you don't like how they're teasing you. My advice: don't worry too much about it. boy teasing happens, and it's something that would be useful to get used to.#4 soft spot means he likes you/has a crush on you ;)

Anonymous on November 3:Yep, that's perfectly normal! although first periods are usually light, they can be heavy too. considering yours was slightly heavy the first time, be prepared for heavier periods to come. they may not get any heavier, but they most likely will not get lighter. Also, they'll get longer, which brings us to the second point. having a 1-day-long period for your first one is normal. in fact, for some girls, their first period is only a small spot in their panties, and then it's over. Also, don't be alarmed if you don't have a period next month, or if you have one in 2 weeks, or something else that could be considered unusual. for the first 2 years or so, it's normal to be irregular in your period schedual. at the same time, it's just as normal to be regular. Just giving you a heads up on that one!

@Anonymous on November 8 at 5:45 PMYou might as well ask why girls are different bra sizes or even why some girls are tall and others short. my guess is that it's just genetics, like if your mom or grandma had something, you probably have it too. hope i helped!

hey @Nominique just complement him say "oh hey i couldn't help but notice your a really good football player" or something like that. then you guys will end up talking about something totally different by the end of the talk try to ask for his number or email address or something it worjked for me hope it works for you too!!

Nominique I totally understand being nervous to talk to this guy but you could still walk over to him and maybe say hi or start a conversation and soon you guys could be friends hope I helped God bless

hey @nominique I understand how you feel i think you should try. You should walk to him tell him hi ask can you be friends get to know each other and I glady feel that soon he will like you just for who you are!! Remember God watches over you!!!!!!

I have been a cheerleader since I was 9 years old and im in 8th grade right now and I recently quit and started volleyball. the best advice I can give you is to Stretch-do lots of yoga moves and try to drink lots of water ,Exercise- jumping jacks,squats,planks (if it doesn't hurt your not doing it correct LOL),Practice your sharp movements and loud projection and being the best cheerleader you can be !. Your weight should not determine wether you can be a cheerleader or not because there are lots of "thick" girls that are cheerleaders and are really GOOD cheerleaders.the main reason mostgirls don't make the squad is because they don't stand out by smiling lots, sharp motions, and SPIRIT(; honestly watching youtube videos trained me to b the best cheerleader I could be.

I think you should kick out every once in a while and don't wear tight jeans it is even harder to do it with them and try some martial arts and yoga while your at it that should help you get more flexible and maybe if you get flexible enough you might be able to do splits

It just takes practice.Im in cheer and I find it easiest if 15-20 minutes a day I attempt to do the splits and do some stretches.After you get used to it it will be really easy to do the splits.You just have to be willing to wait

Well, I'd say I was just born flexible. However, I was starting to lose my flexibility. To get my splits, I went as far down as possible, held it for 15 seconds, and then was able to go further. I kept doing this until I had my splits! To stretch for a scorpion I just do a bridge and stretch out my back. Then, when you are beginning hold onto a wall and grab your right leg with your left hand or vice versa. Pull it to the back and towards your head a little. Try to see what grip and position works for you. Voila! There's your scorpion!

I am a creepishly flexible person and the way I learnt to do my first split was just to practise,practise,practise! Do it every day, just make sure you don't push yourselfr too far or you might strain a muscle. :)

hey I do cheer leading now thru a homeschool thing and I learned about "pretty splits" and "not so pretty splits". pretty is when you sit up and not so pretty is when u lean down and try and push yourself far. I try and do pretty but it hurts to much cause it put too much pressure on my legs. does anyone also know bout pretty and not so pretty splits and how to do them right??????????? think polkadotted rainbow colours

I just went down as far as I could, held it, came up again, stretched, and repeated it. I used my fingers as a measurement for how much I went down, e.g. pinky, pointer. like, in between the floor and you-know where...

My sister is incredibly flexible-like, IM famous for her flexibility. She stretches for half an hour every day, but remember to go easy on yourself for most of it, you don't want to hurt yourself. Touch your toes, straighten up, go a little further, straighten up, until your palm is flat on the ground (this may take several weeks, don't rush yourself!!), and do that with all stretches.

ok so i do not do cheer but i dance alot and now i have all three splits. i strech every day now. if u want 2 get your scorpion try do ing your splits even if u dont have them yet and try to get your back foot to touch your head. when you have ur splits,put ur arms up in fith and try to bend back and grab ur leg. that is how i got my scorpion. when you have alot of time 1 day, strech as much as u can!i got my splits in like 2 hours of constant streching. after that, the next day wasnt so difficult 2 get my splits. after that, i would just do a lunge, then go into a thing where you are standing on 1 knee but ur front leg is straight, and then go into ur splits. i hope i helped and i have no doubt ul make the team in no time! hope i helped!

stretch a little more every night before bed. you have to be able to relax your muscles when you are in the split. as you relax you will automatically sink into your split more and more. exercise every day and eat lots of healthy food so you can improve even more!

once you have your splits including your straddle, it you sit in them while doing homework or watching t.v, you will feel more stretched. when your in the straddle, rotate your hips to the ground and lay in it

I am in dance classes and gymnastic classes and that helped me increase my flexibility. Now I can do some pretty cool things I couldn't do before. Stretching parts like your abs, arms, legs, back, and even your neck can help increase flexibility. :)

I started out exactly like you. I have been taking dance lessons for five years, but I have always been the smallest there. And I couldn't do the splits or anything! I was so worried about my weight, and how it would prevent me from achieving flexy-thon.

I learned that it doesn't matter how you look, or how you are. It may sound boring, but practise does make perfect. I joined a stretch class, and I've practised. So here are my top tips for you, and for anyone who has a problem like this:

1) Join a local stretch class or yoga club, and attend whenever possible. The instructor will not just go through exercises, but also give you personal tips on how to improve.

2) Choose your target. Now you're doing regular stretching, decide which move you want to perfect. You could do a cartwheel, the splits, a flip, a Y Stand, or a toe touch. If you don't know these, look them up on a search engine. TOP TIP: Search engines will usually lead you to YouTube videos, which often contain advice on moves like these.

3) Practise makes perfect, so practise! Say you're working on a Y Stand. Decide on a regular practise time, so maybe you'll do your Y Stand practise twice in the afternoon, and once in the evening. Something like that.

4) Cram in all the extra practise time you can get. Stretch your legs during the adverts when you're watching TV, or have a gentle practise to keep you busy in the time you're supposed to be doing your homework.

5) Encourage others. If you have a friend who can't wait to perfect their backflip, why not do your stretch class or your practising together? It could also become a regular bonding activity. And if you're lucky, maybe your mum will let you out to the cinema with your pal afterwards!

Well, I hope I have helped. I have now improved, and I hope everyone else reading does as well. And remember, be patient. It sometimes comes more quickly or slowly to certain people, but your cartwheels won't fix themselves overnight. And remember, whatever you do, have fun! And do remember to show the older kids in your dance class what you can do!

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO NIYA: Good luck for next time, going for the cheerleading squad! I know you'll make it this time. Thanks!

Hi! I want you to know you are not alone, and just becuse you might be bigger that the other girls, does not mean you cant be flexible. I really like to dance so i have been praticing alot which helps my flexibility. Tips to get you flexible are:1Stretch. in the mornings,at night,while doing homework, whenever! I felt that streaching in the morning helped me be more awake for school and more focused. It doesnt have to be a lenghthly stretch,just reach to the sky, bow down to your toes, and twist your upper body while your feet stay square.2Youtube! Youtube is where i learned a lot of stretches that helped me become a gymnast! Ask your parents for permission first and if they say no, explain to then why and maybe work oout a deal.3 Pratice,Pratice,Pratice! Having a routine is very important Once you set up a routine(ex: Get out of bed, Stretch, Eat breackfast, Brussh your teeth...) it will be a lot eaiser and will come more natural to stretch.Thats it! hope it helpsMonica

hi! im a dancer so i can do a split but when the season closes for the summer i lose all flexibility whatsoever, so i understand! im not that good at putting things into words without showing you, though. i recommend looking it up on youtube. there are plenty of videos on "how to get your splits". good luck!

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